South African musicians died when they were 51
Here are 9 famous musicians from South Africa died at 51:
Biddy Anderson
Biddy Anderson (April 26, 1874-March 11, 1926 Bredasdorp) was a South African personality.
She was better known by her nickname, "Queen of the Karoo". Biddy Anderson was a traveling saleswoman, selling clothes and household items from a horse-drawn wagon throughout the arid Karoo region of South Africa. Despite the challenges of traveling long distances in a wagon, she was highly successful in her business and became a well-known and beloved figure in the region. Anderson was known for her philanthropy and her commitment to helping those in need. She died in 1926 at the age of 51, and her legacy as a pioneering businesswoman and charitable figure is still remembered in South Africa today.
Read more about Biddy Anderson on Wikipedia »
Johannes Kotze
Johannes Kotze (August 7, 1879-July 7, 1931) was a South African personality.
He was a lawyer, politician, and judge during his lifetime. He served as a member of the Union Parliament of South Africa from 1924 until his death. He was also a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa.
Kotze was born in the town of Wolmaransstad, located in the former Transvaal Province of South Africa. He studied law at the University of the Cape of Good Hope and was admitted to the Bar in 1901. He started his career as a successful lawyer in Pretoria and served on the city council for some time.
Kotze was a prominent member of the South African National Party and was known for his conservative views. He advocated for the establishment of the Union of South Africa, which came to fruition in 1910. He later served as the Minister of Native Affairs under Prime Minister J.B.M. Hertzog.
Kotze was also a published author, writing several books on history and politics. He was known for his unyielding stance on important issues, and his speeches and writings were often controversial. He died in Cape Town in 1931 at the age of 51.
Read more about Johannes Kotze on Wikipedia »
Horace Chapman
Horace Chapman (June 30, 1890-December 1, 1941) was a South African personality.
He was known for his work as a journalist, author, and broadcaster. Chapman worked as a journalist for various newspapers, including The Times and The Star, where he wrote about politics, sports, and culture. He also authored several books, including his most well-known work, "The South African Way of Life," which explored the cultural and societal norms of South Africa.
In addition to his work as a writer, Chapman was also a radio broadcaster. He hosted several shows on the popular South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) network, including the popular program "People's House." Chapman's broadcasts were known for their engaging and informative style, and he quickly became a beloved personality across the country.
Despite his success, Chapman's life was cut short when he died unexpectedly at the age of 51. Nonetheless, his work and legacy continue to inspire and inform South Africans to this day.
Read more about Horace Chapman on Wikipedia »
Atholl McKinnon
Atholl McKinnon (August 20, 1932-December 2, 1983) was a South African personality.
Born in Johannesburg, McKinnon was a prominent producer and director in the South African entertainment industry during the 1960s and 1970s. He began his career as a radio producer and worked for the South African Broadcasting Corporation before moving into television production.
McKinnon is best known for producing and directing popular South African TV shows such as "The Villagers" and "Pleks Van Ons," which showcased the lives of diverse South African communities and helped break down racial barriers. He was also instrumental in launching the careers of many South African actors and actresses.
In addition to his work in television, McKinnon was a prolific playwright and screenwriter. His plays and films tackled social issues such as apartheid and the struggle for racial equality in South Africa.
Sadly, McKinnon passed away at the age of 51 from a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer in South African entertainment and a champion of social justice.
Read more about Atholl McKinnon on Wikipedia »
Jacob Matlala
Jacob Matlala (August 1, 1962 Meadowlands, Gauteng-December 7, 2013 Johannesburg) was a South African professional boxer.
He was known by his nickname "Baby Jake" due to his diminutive size, standing only 4 foot 10 inches tall. Despite his small stature, Matlala was a formidable fighter who won world titles in two weight divisions. He began his professional career in 1980 and quickly rose to prominence, winning his first world title in 1993. He continued to fight until 2002, earning a reputation as one of South Africa's greatest boxers. Matlala was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly his advocacy for children's rights. After his retirement from boxing, he worked as a motivational speaker and boxing commentator. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 51.
Read more about Jacob Matlala on Wikipedia »
Sholom Schwartzbard
Sholom Schwartzbard (August 18, 1886 Izmail-March 3, 1938 Cape Town) was a South African personality.
Sholom Schwartzbard was actually a Ukrainian-born Jewish revolutionary who assassinated Ukrainian nationalist Symon Petliura in 1926 in Paris. Schwartzbard's family was killed during a pogrom that took place in his hometown in 1905, which led him to join the socialist revolutionary movement. He fought against the Russian army during World War I, and after the Russian Revolution, he joined the Bolsheviks. However, he later became disillusioned with the Soviet regime and fled to France, where he joined the Ukrainian anarchist movement. In revenge for the pogrom in his hometown, Schwartzbard assassinated Petliura, who was accused of being behind the pogroms. Schwartzbard was acquitted of murder charges by a French court, and he later moved to South Africa, where he lived out the rest of his life.
Read more about Sholom Schwartzbard on Wikipedia »
Glen Dell
Glen Dell (April 9, 1962 Johannesburg-October 12, 2013 Johannesburg) was a South African aerobatic pilot.
Glen Dell began his flying career in the South African Air Force, where he flew various aircraft including the Impala, Mirage F1, and Cheetah fighter jets. In 1998, he began his aerobatic career and quickly rose to fame as one of the top aerobatic pilots in the world. He won numerous competitions and was known for his precision flying and thrilling performances.
In addition to his aerobatic career, Dell was also a respected test pilot and a flight instructor. He was also heavily involved in aviation safety and served as the technical director for the South African Aerobatic Club.
Sadly, Dell passed away in 2013 after a tragic accident during a pre-show display at the Swartkop Airshow in Pretoria, South Africa. He is remembered as an accomplished pilot and an inspiration to many in the aviation community.
Read more about Glen Dell on Wikipedia »
William Alexander Smith
William Alexander Smith (July 4, 1904-December 20, 1955) otherwise known as William Smith was a South African personality.
He was an accomplished athlete, particularly excelling in the sport of rugby. Smith played for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, and was part of the squad that famously defeated the British Lions in 1937.
Outside of rugby, Smith was a successful businessman, owning and running a chain of supermarkets in South Africa. He was also involved in politics as a member of the United Party, which was the ruling party at the time.
Sadly, Smith's life was cut short when he died in a plane crash in 1955 while on a business trip to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He was only 51 years old at the time of his death, but his legacy in the world of rugby and South African business continues to this day.
Read more about William Alexander Smith on Wikipedia »
Maurice Gifford
Maurice Gifford (May 5, 1859-July 1, 1910 London) was a South African personality.
He was the son of Sir Robert Gifford, who served as the first Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Maurice Gifford attended Oxford University where he was a member of the Bullingdon Club. He later became a politician and was elected to the South African House of Assembly. He also served as the mayor of Port Elizabeth from 1900 to 1901. Gifford was known for his philanthropy and was a generous benefactor of the arts. He died in 1910 in London at the age of 51.
Read more about Maurice Gifford on Wikipedia »